Motion Picture News (Aug-Oct 1920)

2818 Motion Picture N e zv s Variety in Kineto Review Four Subjects of Wide Appeal Are Seen in Recent Additions HAVING completed " Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge," which was given its premiere in two theatres in the same night at New York recently, Harry Levey is busy on his second production " The White Bottle," which is being completed under the direction of Harry Fraser. " The White Bottle," the second of the Harry Levey Productions features, is being completed rapidly under the direction of Harry Fraser. This picture is said to be a message to the Mothers of the Country. All interior scenes were completed this week, and the company, which is headed by Lillian Bonnie, the Ziegfeld beauty, Leslie Hull, and the Carr Kiddies, have been making exteriors in Connecticut. Mr. Fraser is also responsible for the continuity of this picture, which is to be announced for IN its decision to make its series of 'twelve Billy West two-reel comedies, the .!o_an Film Sales Company has built a modern and generously equipped studio in Hollywood. This will avoid the rental of studios from others, and will put the Billy West company entirely at its ease, allowing it full and exclusive use of its equipment. The new Billy West studio, which is the name given it by Joan, and was planned with a view to the nature of the comedies Billy West will produce for Joan. One of the novel features of the West studio is the removable roof, which is controlled by electric attachment and which in the course of eight minutes unfolds from the center and rises on a plane with the release at an early date, it is said. Third of the Harry Levey Productions will be a picturization of. " Man to Man," the story by John Leitch. This, too, will follow Mr. Levey's policy of producing features with a big central idea, in that " Man to Man " presents one solution to the big labor problem confronting the industrial world today. Mr. Levey has also secured the screen rights to " Tim Talks," the series of sketches on life written by Tim Thrift, that have won such wide-spread popularity that they have been syndicated to the newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. Three of these " Tim Talks," namely " The Silent Partner," " There Was a Time," and " The Doff Deserving," will be placed in production soon. walls, giving an outdoor effect to the studio, and making it possible to stage " street scenes " on the floor of the studio. The erection of the West studio in accordance with the nature and plot of the comedies he will produce was considered to be a very wise course, as it makes it possible to follow the script of the scenarios faithfully, and avoids the delay of special construction for each new. comedy. The properties that have been bought for the new West studio have been specially designed to fit the scenarios. Automobiles and other vehicles of curious construction— "trick" furniture, and bizarre costumes form some of the innovations in equipment for the West studio. AN illustration of the great variety in the Kineto Review, one of the series of releases under the Urban Popular Classics, was given one day this week when four new subjects were run off for Mr. Urban and his immediate staff. Another Kineto Review is called "Peculiar Pets" and one hardly realizes how many such there are in the world until they are seen in the pictures. There are manypersons in the world who lavish their affection on rats, mice, foxes, bears, snakes — not all on dogs and cats which are the common variety of pets. And after seeing the picture these seemingly strange pets aren't so strange after all. AN elaborate press and campaign book, prepared by newspaper men and exploitation experts, has been made to aid exhibitors and independent exchange men to realize the utmost from " The Devil's Angel," the special production being distributed through state right exchanges by the Clark Cornelius Corporation. Dozens of unique exploitation ideas are described, which, it is said, every exhibitor in the country, whether he has a theatre that seats 500 or a theatre that seats 5,000, can make excellent use of and which are bound to bring results at the box office. Line drawings, which will prove exceedingly practical for most any kind of advertising, including newspaper work, programs, heralds, throwaways, post cards, window cards, car cards or any other medium that the exhibitor may desire to use, have been prepared by artists. The innumerable opportunities Still another issue of the Kineto Review treats of "Water Babies" and there are ever so many more than most people know about. The picture shows lhem in their own and in foreign habitations in many parts of the world. The unusual interest which persons of all classes manifest whenever they pass a big building operation has been drawn upon in still another issue of the Kineto Review wherein there is a detailed study of testing machinery at Columbia University, New York, showing how tests are made in compliance with the New York City building ordinances. offered for newspaper publicity due to the universal interest at the present time in psychic phenomena and other spiritualistic beliefs, will, it is believed, give the exhibitor every chance foi making the production the success that it deserves. Inter Ocean Acquires "Below the Surface" A BIG photoplay is promised to foreign film buyers in " Below the Deadline," a five-reel production made by Ascher Bros. Enterprises, which has been acquired by the Inter-Ocean Film Corporation for exclusive foreign distribution. The production, which was made in California under " the personal supervision of James P. McGowan, brings to the screen a story of the Harbor Police and their struggles with the wharf rats along San Francisco's Barbary Coast. A scene from "The Crimson Cross," by N. Brewster Morse, directed by George Everett Levey's Production Plans " White Bottle," Second Picture, Nears End; " Man to Man " Is Third Joan Film Builds Studio Billy West to Work in Large, Well-Equipped Building on Coast See It First," Says Apex No Quotations Given on " Out of the Dust " Before Screening Film 'JpHE feature of the sales cam paign on John P. McCarthy's " Out of the Dust," which is being offered by the Apex Film Company to State Rights, is the surprise which the company's policy has occasioned among State Rights buyers. In reply to many letters asking for quotations on territory, it has been the concern's procedure to inform the prospective buyer that no prices are quoted without screen examination. The buyers are told that if they can arrange to be in New York City or will delegate somebody here to view the production for them negotiations will be entered into on such a basis; but otherwise the most urgent effort will bring forth no quotations on " Out of the Dust." It is announced that the set of Remington's in four colors made from the original plates by special arrangement with Colliers is now in work and the complete exhibit will consist of over thirty specimens of the famous painter's masterpieces. The intent of this adjunct of the display is so that theatres showing " Out of the Dust " may open their reception foyer or mezzanine early mornings for a free art exhibit to the public. The tone and class of this innovation will no doubt quickly appeal to exhibitors and publicity men who recognize the true values in theatre advertising. The press book, lithographs and other novelty exploitation material on " Out of the Dust " are coming off the press every day. Big Campaign Book Issued Elaborate Press Book Prepared to Exploit " The Devil's Angel "